Liverpool Eye £100m Alex Scott Deal But Chelsea Hold January Advantage

Liverpool hold Alex Scott interest but Chelsea lead the £100m January race

Liverpool retain an interest in signing Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott when the transfer window reopens in January, according to BBC Sport. Bournemouth will sanction a £100 million sale provided they are not in a relegation battle, with Chelsea posing the biggest threat after failing with a £64 million bid last summer.

Player: Alex Scott (23), Bournemouth and England midfielder
Fee: £100 million, if Bournemouth avoid a relegation battle
Window: January 2027
Main rivals: Liverpool and Chelsea
Chelsea's previous bid: £64 million, rejected, summer 2026
Scott's current status: Sidelined for a month with a thigh injury

Deal details

Liverpool did not pursue a marquee midfield signing in the summer. They allowed Curtis Jones to leave but chose not to seek an upgrade. That requirement could be revisited in January, with BBC Sport reporting that the Reds retain their interest in Scott, who looks poised to leave Bournemouth during the winter transfer window.

Bournemouth are ready to sanction his sale for £100 million, but only on the condition that they are not fighting relegation. The Cherries' stance makes the deal contingent on their league position, adding a layer of uncertainty to any January approach.

Liverpool face direct competition from Chelsea. The Blues have already failed with a bid worth £64 million for Scott over the summer, but they have been handed encouragement by his representatives and could return for his services as they seek to fill the void left by Enzo Fernandez's departure.

Scott has been with Bournemouth since the summer of 2023. Last season was his most significant, becoming a consistent starter amid an injury crisis and developing into a key player. He played in a slightly deeper midfield role, winning almost 60% of his duels with an average of two tackles and five recoveries per game, ending the campaign with five goal contributions.

This season he has started better, with three goal involvements, but he will be sidelined for the next month after picking up a thigh injury during the recent Nations League group stage, where he made his senior England debut.

Injury and availability

Alex Scott is expected to be out for one month with a thigh injury sustained on England duty. He made his senior debut during the recent Nations League group stage before suffering the problem. The injury will keep him out of Bournemouth's festive fixtures and could complicate any January move if he is not fully fit by the time the window opens.

Why Chelsea hold the upper hand over Liverpool for Alex Scott

Alex Scott is a 23-year-old midfielder who has developed into a key figure at Bournemouth. His ability to play in a deeper role, combined with his ball-winning statistics, makes him an attractive proposition for clubs seeking a hybrid midfielder. Liverpool's interest stems from a lack of a marquee addition in the summer, despite allowing Curtis Jones to leave. The current central midfield options are Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. Manager Andoni Iraola may want another high-profile signing to provide competition for places, and his three years managing Bournemouth could help persuade Scott to move to Anfield.

However, Chelsea can offer something Liverpool cannot: a guaranteed starting role. The Blues are seeking to fill the void left by Enzo Fernandez's departure, and under manager Xabi Alonso, Scott would be promised a central midfield berth alongside Moises Caicedo. At Liverpool, Scott would not be assured regular starts when Mac Allister, Gravenberch and Szoboszlai are all fit. That distinction could be decisive for a player who has just broken into the senior England setup and needs consistent minutes to cement his place.

Chelsea's failed £64 million bid in the summer demonstrates their willingness to invest, and the encouragement from Scott's agents suggests a return is very much on the cards. Bournemouth's £100 million valuation is steep, but the market for young English midfielders with Premier League experience is inflated. Liverpool's hesitation in the summer may cost them if Chelsea move quickly in January.

Talking points

Is Alex Scott worth £100 million? Bournemouth's valuation is nearly double Chelsea's summer bid, and a thigh injury could affect his value.
Should Liverpool prioritise a guaranteed starter instead? With Mac Allister, Gravenberch and Szoboszlai fit, Scott would be squad depth at Anfield.
Can Bournemouth keep Scott if they are in a relegation battle? Their willingness to sell is conditional on league position, which could drag the saga to deadline day.
Does Enzo Fernandez's departure make Chelsea desperate? Xabi Alonso needs a midfield partner for Moises Caicedo, and Scott fits the profile perfectly.

What happens next

The January transfer window reopens at the turn of the year. Bournemouth's league position over the next two months will determine whether they entertain offers for Scott. Chelsea are expected to return with an improved bid after their £64 million approach was rejected, while Liverpool must decide whether to formalise their long-standing interest. Scott's thigh injury will keep him out for a month, meaning any move may not accelerate until he proves his fitness. The decisive factor will likely be the promise of regular starts, something Chelsea can offer and Liverpool cannot.

Frequently asked questions

Will Liverpool sign Alex Scott in January?

Liverpool retain an interest in Alex Scott, according to BBC Sport, but no bid has been made. Chelsea are considered the bigger threat for his signature.

How much will Alex Scott cost?

Bournemouth are ready to sanction his sale for £100 million in January, provided they are not in a relegation battle.

Why is Alex Scott out injured?

Scott picked up a thigh injury during the recent Nations League group stage, where he made his senior England debut. He will be sidelined for a month.